Everyone is welcome to attend a review of the past year and a tantalising glance at the forthcoming events for next year. Only members are allowed to vote on the key agenda items, so please ensure you have paid your fees to be able to exercise your views. Please note that19.30 is the start time and everyone needs to be seated by 19.25 to ensure the agenda can be covered before the Hall closes.
As part of the Newport Heritage week, the Guildhall is throwing open its doors for visitors during the festival. The self-guided tour will give an opportunity to take a look around one of the oldest Guildhalls in England. NDHS members will be helping by providing room talks to give an in-depth look into the original and unique historical features of the building. These tours occur on both 8th and 17th September.
This presentation will be given by Dr Judith Everard, Historian, from Victoria County History, Shropshire. Her talk is based on over 400 original medieval manuscripts which record the names of many men and women, their business and place names such as “Rotten Row” and “Flesh-shambles.” It promises to be one of the fascinating insights to medieval life in Newport and it is the first time this work has been presented, so is a World exclusive!
Penny Ward will report how the 10-year documentary research project of the People of the Flax Mill in Shrewsbury is revealing stories of the lives of people and families who worked there over its 90-year operation and the community that developed the local area.
Members and friends of the Society are welcome to have a festive drink and nibble while trying to solve the World's most difficult history questions about Newport and its surrounds. It is the traditional way to celebrate our year whilst John Ravenscroft devises questions to mess with your mind and test your knowledge of local and world history. This year we are meeting in the Railway Tavern from 7pm but feel free to start early! We look forward to seeing you to celebrate with us
This meeting in the New Year will set the scene for the coming months and confirm plans made at the AGM. It doubles as a Committee Meeting, so all Committee Members are requested to try to attend.
Julian Meeson, Field Officer for NDHS, will present a report on a previously unknown, high status, medieval site. This discovery was made by NDHS Members - come and celebrate their achievement on what promises to be a highly interesting evening.
Marilyn Hinson of the Shifnal Local History Group will present a review of local Victorian Newspapers' insights into a different side of life in Shifnal.
Wendy Horton, a professional historian with Victoria County History (Shropshire) will share interesting findings from the research into the buildings and history of Newport's drinking establishments. This is a major collaboration of VCH with NDHS working towards the publication of the Newport Red Book and has already involved many hours of volunteer work from our members. Additionally, Linda Fletcher will talk about coaching, posting and gig hire on the old London to Chester Road and Cathryn Ross-Talbot will outlining the work that our volunteer members have been completing as part of this project. Hopefully this also motivate interest in supporting the the next stage of this project which will be outlined on the night.
All members are welcome to attend this planning meeting at the Railway Tavern.
Jeremy and Sandra Crabb will be presenting aspects of Vindolanda's 9 Roman Forts in the context of their experience volunteering as excavators and talking about the 2023 finds.
A Talk by Mike Haynes. If you have ever wondered about living without indoor plumbing and sewers, Mike will take you into the fascinating history of dirt and disease.
